Drip-cup for candlesticks.



No. 722,318. PATENTED MAR.l0,1903.

T. M. MULKERINS.

DRIP 0UP FOR GANDLESTICKS.

APPLIOATI ON FILED APR. 14, 1902.

N0 MODEL.

men Tans PATENT FFICE.

THOMAS M. MULKERINS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

DRIP-CUP FQR CANDLESTICKS.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent No. 722,318, dated March 10, 1903.

Application filed April 14, 1902. Serial No. 102,774. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Beitknown that I, THOMAS M. MULKERINS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Drip-Cups for Candlesticks; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to a drip-cup for candlesticks; and its object is to provide one which may be used on any-sized candle, which will be automatically fed downward as the candle burns, and which is provided with means to drain the melted wax from the top of the candle to the exterior of the tube or socket, and thus prevent clogging of the interior of the tube and interference with the free descent of the shield.

My device is more particularly adapted for use by priests in administering the blessings of St. Blaise on communicants. It protects the communicants clothing from being soiled by the falling grease, which would be unavoidable without the shield on account of the way the candles are held, and also protects the hair or hat from being ignited.

The invention is fully illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section of the device withv a candle applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same with the candle removed, and Fig. 3 is a top plan View.

My improved device is preferably constructed of two tubular members, the inner cylindrical tubular member or socket 1 being adapted to receive a candle 2 to support the shield 3 thereon. The shield 8 is secured to the lower end of the tubular socket 1, flares outwardly to envelop the said socket, and extends beyond the end of the same, one side projecting higher than the other, as shown. The wall of the tubular socket is bent inwardly at its top, as at 4:, and terminates in a central opening 5, through which the wick of the candle projects. This opening 5 is smaller than the smallest candle, so that candles of diiferent sizes may be used, and the converging or bent upper walls -.i will prevent the top of the candle from projecting through the opening 5.

In operation the priest grasps the lowerend of the candle, and as the same burns the socket 1, with its shield 3, will gradually descend upon the candle, as the latter fits loosely in the tubular socket 1. To prevent the melted wax from running down the interior of the socket 1 and causing an obstruction to the free downward feed of the same, I provide a trough 6 at the top of the socket to conduct the melted wax to the exterior thereof and into the shield 3. Thus the shield also serves as a drip-cup to catch the melted wax. This trough 6 is formed by flaring the edges of the tube at one side of the opening 5 and is slightly inclined downward, as shown. By this construction the melted wax as the candle burns will be caught in the trough and conducted to the outside of the tube, and thus the free downward movement of the candle holder and shield is accomplished. Owing to the inclined position the candle assumes while the operator is administering the blessing and passing from one person to another one side of the shield 3 projects higher than the other, as shown at 7, and prevents the wax from spilling upon the persons clothing, and the shield asawhole protects the persons hair, hat, face, and clothing from being scorched, as well as preventing the floor and furniture from being soiled by the falling grease.

' Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is- I 1. In a device of the class described, a socket for the candle having its walls contracted at the upper end, a combined shield and drip-cup secured to and inclosing said socket, and means provided at the contracted upper end of the socket to conduct the melted wax to the drip-cup.

2. In a device of the class described, the 9 combination of a socket for the candle having its walls contracted at the upper end to permit different-sized candles to be used therewith, a combined shield and drip-cup secured to said socket, and a trough formed IOO in the top of the socket to conduct the melted wax to the drip-cup.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination of a socket for the candle havcd higherthan the other to prevent the melted I0 wax from spilling when the candle is held in an inclined position.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature trough to conduct the melted wax to the exterior of the socket, a flaring shield secured to the lower end of the candle-socket to envelop the same and having one side project- THOMAS M. MULKERINS. WVitnesses:

DANIEL W. HIGGINS, OLIVER OCONNELL.

5 ing a contracted upper end provided with a l in presence of two witnesses. 

